Maharashtra Declares Drought in 265 Talukas Amid El Niño

The Maharashtra government has declared a drought affecting 265 of its 358 talukas, as outlined in an order issued on September 26. This decision comes in response to conditions anticipated during the 2026 kharif season, with the affected areas spanning across 32 districts, including Beed, Latur, and Nanded. The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division has the highest concentration of drought-hit talukas, totaling 74, followed by Amravati with 56 and Nashik with 49.

In light of the drought declaration, the state government has initiated a series of relief measures aimed at mitigating the impact on affected farmers. These measures include exemptions from land revenue, restructuring of agricultural loans, and a moratorium on the recovery of such loans. Additionally, the government has committed to providing fodder for livestock and has instructed officials to commence water conservation efforts to address drinking water needs.

District collectors are tasked with conducting immediate assessments of the damage, known as panchnamas, and are required to submit photographic evidence of crop conditions, complete with GPS coordinates. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis indicated that the state will closely monitor the effects of El Niño, which is expected to peak by the end of February, potentially exacerbating the drought situation. The India Meteorological Department has already predicted below-normal rainfall for the upcoming kharif season due to these conditions.

Political responses to the drought declaration have been swift. Sharad Pawar, president of the Nationalist Congress Party, has sent a letter to the Chief Minister outlining 17 demands aimed at supporting farmers and agricultural workers. These include declaring additional talukas as drought-affected, waiving land revenue and agricultural loans, and providing free grain to families in need. Pawar has also called for a special legislative session to address the crisis and ensure timely financial assistance to farmers before the upcoming Dussehra and Diwali festivals.

Looking ahead, the Maharashtra government is expected to announce further assistance for farmers facing crop losses through a separate resolution. As the situation develops, the focus will remain on implementing effective measures to alleviate the hardships faced by the agricultural community and ensuring adequate resources are available for both farmers and livestock in the drought-affected regions.